"... that's why the recruitment is taking longer than we predicted." Cao Xing explained.
"It seems that recruiting soldiers from frontline units can only get us that far." I stated a rather painful fact. "What about retired veterans who were released from service?"
"With the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, there are not many who want to take up the arms again... even in service of emperor's private guard." Xun Yu said. "We could start recruiting from among the nobility..."
"Very well, but only those who took part in combat." I shook my head. "The unit I'm creating has to be blooded. I have a feeling that the capital might become lively again... and we might not have enough time to prepare."
"What do you mean, Colonel Yuan?" Cao Xing looked rather startled by my statement.
"Might you be referring, to the conflict between He family and the Ten Attendants, colonel?" Han Hao asked.
"Indeed." I nodded. "With General-in-Chief's success in suppressing the rebellion, the He family gained much fame and support. On the other hands, the eunuchs have the ear of theEmperor. The things are stable now, but I believe that it will take but a small push for the conflict to erupt between them."
"...I take it, that you will not take the side of the Ten Attendants?" Xun Yu asked.
"Hah! Advisor Xun, have you ever heard of something prospering under the care of Ten Attendants?"
"... I understand. We'll make sure to prepare." Xun Yu nodded.
"Next subject, the equipment." I looked at Xun Yu.
Xun Yu nodded and motioned to Lang Dü, who gave me an appropriate scroll with the report.
"There are no problems here. The imperial armouries are well stocked and we already have swords, spears and armours for the entire unit, including some back-ups. There were some problems with crossbows, as many chords needed to be replaced, but the issue is taken care of now."
"Good, good." I smiled and put the scroll down. "Now, for the supplies."
Han Hao nodded and started speaking.
"Master Han Hao was impressed with you. Both with your skill with numbers and your orderliness with reports." I praised my adopted daughter after we returned to my residence.
"I've done nothing much." She smiled softly and bowed her head.
"Hm... are you saying that Han Hao's praise is easily earned." I smiled as she started frantically denying my statement. "Relax, I was just joking. But that doesn't change the fact, that I'm proud of you."
The girl bowed her head shyly.
"Now for your lesson, I will tell you a story of a hero and you will analyze it for me. You will tell me of all of the mistakes, the hero has done right and wrong, of the things he could do better and explain why it would be better and what impact it would have on his situation... understand?"
Lang Dü nodded.
"Good. The person whose story I will tell you was called Kun and he was from the Exar clan. He created and mastered a very exotic weapon, called double balded sword-staff...
"-thus, concludes my report on the state of the unit." I finished, as I knelt in front of Emperor.
"Very Good!" The Emperor clapped, delighted. I smiled and-
"Thank your grace. It brings joy to my heart, hearing your praise." I froze, cause these words weren't mines. "As a father, I couldn't be more proud of what my son managed to achieve in the service of Han dynasty... and be recognized for it." I looked up, as I felt a hand on my arm.
My father stepped forward and saluted the Emperor.
"Yet, I fear that I am offending you, your majesty." My father stated, kneeling and bowing his head deeply.
"What? Surely you are jesting Yuan Shao." The Emperor stated surprised, but father continued with his head, bowed deeply.
"The Yuan clan served the Han dynasty for four generations as loyal vassals. Yet, when the army responsible for protecting the Emperor is being created, the renowned Yuan clan could only give an inexperienced second son to protect his majesty. It's not appropriate! Allow me, Yuan Shao, the head of the Yuan clan, to personally take care of the duty of keeping your Highness safe!" My father ended his statement loudly while bowing deeper.
I could see that the Emperor was quite moved by my father's... 'dedication'.
"Of course, Yuan Shao, you are right. With you by my side, no one will defeat my army!" he ended with a laugh.
"Thank you, your majesty!" Father bowed with a smile.
I grinded my teeth with rage.
"If I could ask your Highness another thing." Yuan Shao continued. "My son is still inexperienced. Could you appoint him as an Inspector, so he could gain experience and become an... useful servant for the Han."
How dared he!
"I'm sure I can find something."
Both of the men turned to look at me. Shaking with rage, I slowly put my hands in a salute and bowed to the Emperor.
"I thank you for this opportunity!"
I felt like exploding, as I walked down the stairs, leaving the palace.
How dared he! He stole away my soldiers than decided to remove me from the capital to some backwater province! Worse, a province far away from the power base of the Yuan clan!
And of all things, he made me an inspector of fucking Shouchun!
A land that will find itself in the centre of conflict involving the greatest of warlords - Lü Bu, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Yuan Shao and Sun Ce! Not to mention that it was a base of that damn fool Yuan Shu!
"You look upset young Yuan." I stopped hearing the voice.
I turned to the man and saluted him politely.
"Master Cao Cao." I greeted him.
"Are you upset with something?" he asked politely.
I wanted to scream, I wanted to rage... yet, he wasn't the target of my anger. I took a few calming breaths, before answering him.
"Nothing much Master Cao Cao. It's just- it's just that I walk down the stairs and you climb them up." I paused, but couldn't really bring myself to talk with the man. "If you excuse me."
I saluted him and walked away. I had many plans of how I would talk with the Cao Cao when I would've met him... but now? They were all gone from my mind. In my anger, my mind was focused only on one thing.
You want to play that way, Yuan Shao, eh? Fine. No more mister nice second son.
"I heard many good things about you, Colonel." I said as I sat down next to the Imperial officer.
"Really?" the man looked at me "What do you want, boy?"
"Straight to business? I appreciate it." And I really did. It was refreshing after what happened in the Imperial Palace. "I am Yuan Xi, son of Yuan Shao. I was just appointed as Inspector of Shouchun and I am in need of talented officers to help me bring order to the land. You, good sir, are one of the men I intend to recruit to help me with this endeavour."
The man I was trying to recruit was talented... and terrifyingly competent officer – a colonel of the vanguard. At one time, he was but a step from killing Cao Cao and failed only by a stroke of luck... or was it the Will of Haven?
"Well, that's a pity. I hear that I am among those who are considered to be nominated to be one of the colonels in the Army of Western Garden."
"True you are and it's far more prestigious position than what I am offering. I would know, after all, I held the position, before losing it today."
"Oh?" Now his attention was on me.
"It's not a commision that you would want unless you want to be in the middle of a power struggle involving He clan, Emperor, eunuchs, Yuan clan and who knows who else. I count myself lucky, to only lose my position and be exiled from the capital."
The man seemed to be hesitating but looked unconvinced.
"It was my own father, Yuan Shao, who took over my position." That seemed to surprise him. I got up and saluted the man. "I will be leaving in a few days. I hope you will think over my proposition and become my subordinate. If not, I wish you luck in endeavours to come, Master Chunyu Qiong."
"You're still upset." the Empress stated.
"Yes." I admitted, hugging her closer. It was nice to cuddle... it was... soothing.
"Why do you think that your father took your position and removed you from the capital?" She inquired.
I could feel the anger rising in me but quickly squashed it. With He Shi at my side, it was much easier to control myself. Why have Yuan Shao made that move? What is the logical reasoning behind it? I had come up with a single, rather simple and obvious answer.
"He was jealous... and afraid. A son – a second son - being closer to emperor than the head of the clan? Holding a position higher than him? No, that could not stand. So he took my post and made sure I would not interfere with his plans... that I will not overshadow him."
"Hmm... have you considered that he removed you from the capital to protect you? So you would not be involved in court conflicts..."
That... was surprisingly logical... and quite possible motive of Yuan Shao's action. I had to grudgingly admit that, much to my displeasure. But-
I remembered my interactions with father and brother after returning to the capital.
"No." I shook my head. "I'm a spare. Worse, a spare of the spare. Whatever the reason for removing me from the capital was, it certainly was not his concern for my safety."
"Hmm..." she didn't continue the subject.
We stayed silent for a long while, just enjoying each other's presence and the warmth of our bodies.
"It will be probably the last time we will be like that in years to come... or ever." I said, with a lump of sadness in my throat. "I have a gift for you-" I ceased talking when I felt her finger on my lips.
"Let's make this meeting a memorable one."
She was right. That night, that encounter - it became one of the most pleasant memories of my life.
Recognizing his merits in the suppression of Yellow Scarves and creation of the Army of Western Garden, Emperor Ling personally rewarded colonel Yuan Xi with promotion to Inspector of Shouchun.
It is said that Yuan Xi accepted to promotion with tears of joy in his eyes.
A fragment of the biography of Yuan Xi from 'Hundred Years of Turmoil' – historical work about the 'end of Han dynasty' and an era that followed.